Drafting instrument



Oct. 26, 1943. A. LANGsNr-:R 2,332,860

' DRAFTING INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 16. 1940 3 sheets-sheet 1 nu km. mi

Oct. 26, 1943. A, LANGsNER I DRAFTING INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 16, 1940 3 Sheetvs-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. dolloh Lfzgszzer rn@ erga Oct. 26, 1943. A. LANGsNER DRAFTING INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 1e, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 (Q: .Q3 INVENTOR L; Langszzef fm WW2-f '6M/ tgys.

Patented Oct. 26, 1943 DRAFTING INSTRUMENT Adolph Langsner, ChicagoIll., assigner `to Eugene Dietzgen Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware l l Application August 16, 1340, serial No. 352,833

19 Claims.

My invention relates in general to drafting apparatus and has more particular .reference to means facilitating the angular adjustment of ruling guides in drafting apparatus.

An important object of the present invention is to` provide simplified angularity adjusting means particularly adaptedffor use in parallel motion drafting apparatus; a further object being` to provide protractor means, together with readily releasable latch means for holding the protractor means yin `adjustedl position.

Another important object is to provide a protractor assembly providing full rotation of the scales. i

vAnother important object is to provide a protractor assembly for the angulation of ruling guides, in which the protractor may be rapidly and easily set to any one -cf a number of predetermined set angularity stations and latched in place,`in combination With Vernier means, Whereby ruling guides, or equivalent elements forming apart of the protractor assembly, may be adjusted readily to any position intermediate the limits-determined by the predetermined angularity stations.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions `of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the containing aprotractor assembly embodying my present invention; y

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken i substantially along Vthe line 2-,2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan viewoi the protractor head `shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 2;H

Figure 5 is a detailk transverse sectional View taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is an exploded view, showing the several parts of the protractor in perspective.

To illustrate my invention, I have shownl on the drawings parallel motion mechanism, comprising a pair of arm elements II and I3 connected together for relative rotation about an axis I 5, means I1 being provided at the opposite end of the arm I for anchoring it on a draftingboard or table for relative rotation about a stationary axis formed preferably by a stationary pin IEI.` The end of the arm I3 opposite from the pivot I5 carries support means comprising a protractor head 2|, on which is mounted a ruling guide member 23 for parallel movement on the drafting board. The invention is not necessarily restricted to the form and arrangement of 'the arms .Il and I3; in :'factpany suitable parallel motion or pantograph device 'may be` employed as a mounting for the protractor head 2|. As shown, however, the parallel motion apparatus comprises pulleys interconnected by driving belts in the arms I| 'and I3, there being,` in the illustrated embodimenta pulley 25 fast` on the pin kI9 at the supportedend of the arm I I, apulley 21 mounted for rotation about the axis I5, and a pulley 29 mounted for rotation about` an'` axis 3| in the protractor'he'ad. Flexible'belt meansV 33 and 35 drivingly connect the pu11ey"25 With the `pulley 21, and the pulley 21 With `the pulley 29, so, that the. pulley29 will remain in `ixed angular position with respect to a table on which the devicemay `be mounted for operation, regardless of the movementthereof within they operating range of the device.

The arms and I3 preferably comprise each a pair of` spaced housing elements and tubular spacing elements 31, the opposite ends of which are secured to the housing elements to support the same in spaced-apart relationship. The housing element, at the supported end of the arm I I, encloses the top and sides of the pulley 25, and the housing elements, at the connected ends of the arms, co-operate to enclose the top, sides and bottom of the pulley element 21While the housing 39, at the protractor-carrying end of the arm I3, encloses the top and sides of the pulley 29. The flexible drivingbelts 33 and 35 extend in the spacing tubes 31 and around the pulleys in the housings.

The housing 39 'has a top Wall 4| and marginal Walls 43 enclosing therim of the pulley 29, which is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing preferably by roller bearing means' 45 supported in a sleeve portion or embossment 41 formedcentrally on the Wall 4|. The pulley has a central axle portion 49 on Which the innerv race of the roller bearingis clampingly secured, as by means of a nut 5I, said nut also clamping the central portions of a clamping plate 53, the marginal portions of which extend in a cavity or depression 55 formed in the top of the housing 39.

The axle portion 49 of the pulley is of sleevelike-character and receives, rotatably therein, a sleeve member 51 through which extends a stem 59.` The sleeve-like member 51 has anv end extending upwardly of theto'p of the" housing 39 and carries a manually operable knob or handle 6I fastened to the projecting end of themember 51 by means of a cup-shaped mounting element 63. The bottom of the element 63 has an opening receiving the end of the member 51, which is clamped in place by means of a fastening screw 65.` The knob 6I is formed with annular portions 61 forming a cavity 69 into'which the annular Walls of the cup element 63 may be slidingly fittedto enclose the cavity 69,1the knob being secured in place on the element 63 as by means of a screw 1|. The stem 59 is angularly turnablewithin thesleeve element 51v and has an end projectingivinto'` the cavity 69, said end being provided with a spring washer'13 and a lever 15, which is secured to the end of the stem 59 as by means of clamping nuts 11. The lever ex` tends outwardly of the cavity 69 through a slot 19 formed in the walls of the cup element 63;.and

has a nger piece 8| disposed in position adjacent the rim of the knob 6 I.

The lower end of the pulley 29 is fitted with an terconnects the iinger |21 with the detent |43,

- and the detent is rockingly mounted on the memannular scale plate 83 which is secured to .the`

pulley, as by'screws 85, said scale plate extending beneath and outwardly of the walls 43 of *the housing. This scale plate, on.`its under side, carries a notched ,wheel 81 having spaced teeth 89. The pulley29 is preferably formed onits underside With a cavity 9| into which an end of the sleeve member 51 extends, said end being formed with a head 93 formed with anotch 95 forr'ef ceiving an endof a` spring 91. Adjacent the head 93, the member` 51 is formed, as at 99, to receive and support a spider member |9| having a central opening |93, Fig. 6, .adapted toreceive the mounting portion 99 in non-rotating fashion, so that themember |9| is fixed-cn the Vsleeve member 51.v Outwardly of its central portions, which are attached on thesleeve member 51,. the members II comprises radially `extendingarms |95 and an annular rim supported .by thev arms |95, said rim, on one side',.having an extension |91 formed with a radial elongated opening |99 anda perforation III, Fig. 6.

The stem '59 yhas an end projecting outwardly from the headed endof the member 93, and this projecting end of themember 59 carries a disk YI I3, Figs. 2and 6, having aflanged lrim ||5 and carrying studs ||1 vadaptedzfor, engagement in ar cut-out portion ||9 formed in alink |2I. This link is preferablyformed asa sheet metalstamping,V Fig. 6, andhas a, central Aenlarged portion |23 in which the cut-out opening II9 is'formed.,

The link also comprises finger portions |25 and |21 extending'outwardly of t-he enlarged ,portion |23 at the opposite ends thereof, the terminal end of the finger portion |25 being bent up-A wardly to form a lug |29 in position to extend betweenthe armsl |95fof the member I 9|. This lug |29 is formed to receive an end of the spring 91, which is arranged in compression between said lug |29 and the` seat formed by the notch 95 infthe head 93 of the member'51. [`he mger |21 is formed at itsendwith an opening |39.

It will beV seen from' the foregoing that the link I2| is normally urged by the spring on the .stem 59 in the direction of the lug |29.

The disk II3 extends in an opening |3I formed in a ruling guide support member |33, which extends radially outwardly of the stem 59 andv outwardly of the portion |91 of the spider member 19|.' Beneath the ruling guide member |33, the disk I I3 extends in an opening |35, Fig.A 6, formed centrallyin a plate |31, whichy has an end |39 underlying the ruling guide member |33 and an end |4Ifextending radially Vfromthe disk I|3 in a direction opposite to the end |39, Fig. 6.

The spider member |9| carries a latch detent |43, Figs. 5 and 6,.preferably comprising a sheet metal stamping having an opening,l I45at one end, the other endr 'of the detent being formed with a latching tooth |41 adapted to engage between the `teeth89 of thelatching wheel 81 Adjacent -the tooth I 41, the detent is formed with a perforation |49. The nger |21 `underlies the member4 |9I ber I9I by means of a pin |53 which is fastened vin the opening III and which carries an annular roller |55, Fig. 2, in position extending within the opening |45 of the detent. The roller and de- "tent areenclosed on the member I9I by means of a cover plate |51 which is secured on the portion |91 by means of fastening screws |59. The cover plate |51 has a curvedredge |9| which slidingly fits against the peripheral edge of the scale plate 83, theuppermarginal edges of which contain protractor scale graduations. The plate |51 is preferably graduated along its edge I9! with indicia forming a Vernier scale for use in conjunction with the protractor scale on the adjacent edge surfaces of the scale plate 93.

Outwardly ofv the cover plate |51, the ruling guidel member |33 is formed with a perforation |63 in which is arranged a clamping nut |95 having a head extending Von the under side of the guide support anda clamping leve-in |61 on` the upper side of the guide support adjacentthe Vernier plate |51. The head'of the clamping member receives theend |39 of the plate |31, which thus may be clamped in adjusted angular relationship with respect to the guide support |33 by means of the clamp. The end |4| of the plate |31 carries a clamp |69 comprising a screw, a clamping block and a lever I1 I, which clampingly receives the rim of the spider member Ililon which the latching detent |43 ismounted. The end I4I of the plate I 31 also carries an index plate |13 which is secured to the plate |31, as by screws l15. This index plate has an edgeabutting the marginal edge of the scale plate 83 'in alignment vertically opposite the Vernier scale on the cover platev I 51.

rlhe teeth 89 of the indexing member B1 correspond with predetermined protractor angularityv and preferably represent 15 degree intervals for the purpose of setting the Vscales latstandard angles o f l5 degrees 4and multiples thereof. The detent normally is in engagement between a pair of teeth 89 under the influence of the Ispring 91 which, acting through the link I2I, normally holds the detent in latching position. The thumb-piece 3| is in position to be readily-engaged by the thumb of the left hand when placed on the knob 6 I. By pressing on the thumb piece in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Figure 3 of the drawings, the stem 59 will be rotatedY and cause the studs II'I to draw the link |2| `in a direction to release the detent from the wheel 81. When pressure in a counter-clockwise direction on the thumb-piece 8| is released, thelink I2I and the detent will be returned by the-spring 91 to detent latching position, the shape of the cut out |I9 being such as to prevent the studs I I1 from locking the member VI 2 I in released position. For permanent disengagement of the detent |43, the finger piece 8| may be moved .in 4a clockwise direction, viewingli'igure 3 ofthe drawings, the cut-out ||9 being so shaped that when the disk I I3 is rotated in a clockwise direc-tion, the studs will become latched in the cut-out in a fashion holding the member |2I in position with the detent permanently disengaged from the latching ring 81.

When the detent is-disengaged from the v latching ring |31-, the handle 6| may be turned, thusturning the sleeve member 51 and with it the plate ||l|,-as well as the ruling guide support which is clamped to the-v plate ||l| bymeans of the clamps |65 andV |59, Fig.`6. Movement of the plate in this fashion is indicated on the scale by means'of the vernier scaleonthe member |51, which is fast on and-moves-withthe member 0 I. Thus the ruling guide may be set to any desired intermediate angle less than degrees.

f When the device has been set to some intermediate point by disengagingthe pawl, it isfnecessarythat the .partsbe clamped orheld in adjusted position, and in order to do this, I provide a clamp located directly below the knob 6| in position to` facilitate manipulation thereof, as my means of theindex nger of the draftsman who manipulates the protractor withthe left hand.

The clamp, |69 is `provided to permit the adjustment ,of the support |33 at a desired angle without interfering with the setting of the scale plate with, respect `to the Vernier scale. ,This

` structure and facility is of value where the drawing vof auxiliary views is necessary at projection angles ,different from that in which the main viewis drawn. n If, for example,.it.is necessary to, draw an auxiliary sketch projected at a predetermined anglewith respect to the projection angle `of `the main view, the clamp |69 may be freed, thus permitting the supportmember |33 tobe turned freely on the disk I I3 without interfering with the angular position of the member IUI.. tractor ymay beset .to. the required position, whereupon the ,lever` |1| may `betightened, and it` should be noted that the Vernier scale carried by the member |i|| has not been shifted with respect to the scaleplate 83. This means simply that` any further `movement of the scales, in drawing the auxiliary view, can be started from the new baseline or center line by manipulating ,the thumb piece 8|, as heretofore mentioned,

and angles may be set oif above orjbelow the new ybase line determinedby the setting of the index |13, and theadjustment can be referred to the new base line merely by reading: off the angles on the Vernier scale. After completion of the auxiliary view, the protractor can be brought back to the original ,base line merely by releasing the clamp |59 and turning the scales into `the position that will bring them back to the original base line, as indicated by the index |13. i

The clamp |65 may be used to initially line up the guide member |33, as when drawings are placedupon the drawing board for the purpose of making `changes or for completing the same. Thedraftsman rst fastens down the drawing approximately in alignment. Thereafter exact `alignment of the drafting machine with the board-mounted drawing may be had by releasing the clamp |65 and shifting the member |33 into exact alignment, th'is` being accomplished By means of the index |13, the prol purpose ofillustrating'the invention. i i

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: i

w1. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus includingl a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship withrespect to said scale, said means comprising a notched latching `element on said member,` a latching detent, a carrier for said detent, said guide `being angularly adjustable with' respect to saidcarrier,

means to secure said carrier in adjusted 'position against angular movement with respect to said guide, andmanually operable means for` actuating said detent.

2. A draftingmachine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale,l a` guide, and means for mounting said guide on saidmember in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, a latching detent, a carrier for said detent, said guide being angularly adjustable with respect torsaidcarrier, vmeans to secure said carrier in adjusted position against angular movement with `respect to said guide, yielding means normally biasing said detent toward latched position with -said keeper, and manually operable means to release said detent against the influence of said yielding means.

3. A drafting machine comprising aV protractor scale, parallel motion Aapparatus including a member supporting Said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member iniadjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keep; er on said member, a detent carrier, said guide being angularly adjustable with respect to'said carrier, a detent pivoted `on said carrier in po sition to (zo-operate with said keeper means to secure said carrierin adjusted position against `angular movement with respect to said guide,

spring means normally urging the detent toward latching engagement with said keeper, and manually `operable means to release said latch from the keeper against the influence of said spring means. v

4.`A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide,Vv and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with' respect to saidscale, said means comprising alatch keeper on said member, a latching detent, a carrier for said detent, said guide being angularly adjustaf operable cam means for releasing said latch against the inuence of said yielding means.

5. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular `relationship with respect-to said "scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, alatching detent, a carrier for said detent, said guide being angularlyadjustable with respect to said carriermeans to secure said carrierA in adjusted `position against angular movement with respectto Vsaid guide,F yielding means normally biasing said detent toward latched position with said keeper, andmanually operable cam means 4for releasing said latch against the influence of said yielding means, said cam means serving to latch the detent in released position.

r `6. A drafting machine comprising parallel motion apparatus including a supported member carried in -the apparatus for parallel movement Within the operating limits of the apparatus, means forming a protractor scale on said member, a ruling guide angularlyA adjustable on said member With respect to said scale and means for securing said guide in adjusted-angular position on the member comprising a notched latching ring on said member, a latching detent, a carrier supporting said detent in position to latchingly cooperate with the notched ring, means to support the guide for angular movement with respect to said carrier and to secure the guide in adjusted position With respect to the carrier, and manually operable means for actuating the detent.

7. A drafting machine comprising parallel motion apparatus including a housing, open at the bottom and. having, a dependent marginal Wall, and a turnable member supported Within said marginal Wall for parallel movement Within the operating range of the apparatus, rimmed means on said member and having portionsex-v tending beneath and outwardly of the marginal walls ofthe housing vand carrying a protractor scale, latching means for supporting a ruling guide for angular movement with respect to said scale and for securing said guide on said member in adjusted relationship With respect to said scale, said latching means comprising a notched latching ring secured on said member Vin position eX- tending beneath the outwardly extending portions of the rimmed means, a latching detent, a carrier supporting said detent in Iposition yto cooperatively engage the latching ring ,and means to .secure said ruling guide in adjusted relatively angular relationship on said carrier.

` 8. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, yparallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said meanscomprising a latchkeeper on said member, a latching, detent, a carrier for said detent, said guide being'angularly adjustable with respect .to said carrier, means Yto .secure said carrier in adjusted position against angular movement with respect to said guide, yielding means normally biasing said detent toward latched position with `said keeper, and cam means manually Aoperable in one direction to release said detent against the inuence of ysaidjyielding means, and operable in another directionto release `and latch said detent in released position against the influence of said yielding means. f

Adrafting machine comprising a protractor l scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a carrier angularly adjustable with respect to said member, a latch keeper onsaid membera latching detent on the carrier to latch it in adjusted angular position With respectto the member, means to secure said guide in angularly adjusted position on said carrier, yielding means normally urging said detenttoward latched position with said keeper, and means manually operable to release said detent against the influence of said yielding mean-S. f Y

.10. 'A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale,l parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a carrier angularly adjustable with respect vto said member, a latch keeper on said member, a latching detent on the carrier to latch it inl adjusted angular position With respect to the member, means to secure said guide in angularly adjusted position on said f carrier, yielding means normally urging said tion against the influence of said yielding means.

l1. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, aguide, and means for mounting said guide on' said member in adjus'ted` angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means 4comprising a latch keeper on said member, a carrier and means to secure the guide inl angularly adjusted position on the carrier, ak turnable stem formed with Aa control handle on said carrier for moving the same with respect to said keeper, a latching detent `onV said carrier in position to latchingly engage said keeper, yielding means normally biasing .said detent on said carrier toward latched position With said keeper, and manually operable means extending adjacent said handle and operable to release said detent from said keeper against the inuence of said yielding means.

12. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, aV guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said sca1e,`said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, a carrier and means to secure said .guide in angularly adjusted position on the carrier, a detent on said carrier in position to latch with said keeper, a link connected with said detent for actuating the same, said link being formed with cam means, and a manually operable driving cam associated With said cam means.

13. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mountingsaid guide on saidmember in adjusted angularrelationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, a carrier for said guide, a detent on said carrier in position to latch with said keeper, a link connected with said detent Afor actuating the same, said link being formed with cam means, a manually operable driving cam associated with said cam means, yielding means normally urging the detent toward latched position with said keeper, said driving cam and cooperating cam means serving to release the detent against the influence of said yielding means when the driving cam is moved from detent latched position, said cam means comprising shoulders formed in said link and said driving cam comprising movable studs in position to engage said shoulders.

14. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, a carrier for said guide, a detent on said carrier in position to latch With said keeper, a link connected with said detent for actuating i the same, said link being formed With cam means, `a manually operable driving cam associated with said cam means, yielding means normally urging the detent toward latched position with said keeper, said driving cam and co-operating cam means serving to release the detent against the influence of said yielding means when the driving cam is moved'from detent latched position, said driving cam comprising a turnable stem formed With a radially extending finger piece and a head carrying studs in position to engage said cam means.

15. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallelmotion apparatus includ-V ing a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, a carrier supporting said guide, a turnable stem formed with a control handle on said carrier for moving the same with respect to said keeper, a latching detent on said carrier in position to latchingly engage said keeper, yielding means normally biasing said detent on said carrier toward latched position with said keeper, cam means drivingly connected with said detent for actuating the same, and manually operable` ,able member in any one of a predetermined number of angularly adjusted positions with respect to the support member, an auxiliary support member angularly adjustable with respect to said turnable member, and means to clamp said auxiliary support member in any angularly adjusted position Within a predetermined range with respect to said turnable member, said guide being carried by and turnable with said auxiliary support member. v

17. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a support member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting the guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a turnable member angularly adjustable with respect to said support member, means to secure said turnable member in any one of a predetermined number of `angularly adjusted positions With respect to the support member, an auxiliary support member angularly adjustable with respect to said turnable member, and means` to clamp said auxiliary support member in any angularly adjusted position Within a predetermined range with respect to said turnable member, said guide being carried by and turnable with said` auxiliary support member, said guide being angularly adjustable Y with respect to the auxiliary support member,

and clamping `means for securing the guide and support member together in angularly adjusted position.

18. A drafting machine comprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship with respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said member, a carrier supporting said guide, said Vcarrier comprising a spider member and being releasably interconnected with said guide, whereby said carrier may be maintained in xed position With respect to said scale during adjustment of said angular relationship of said guide with respect to said scale, a turnable member formed with a control handle and means connecting the turnable member to said carrier for moving the same with respect to said keeper, a latching detent on said carrier in position to latchingly engage said keeper, yielding means normally biasing said detent onisaid carrier toward latched position with said keeper, cam means drivingly connected with said detent for actuating the same, and manually operable cam actuating means adjacent said handle.

19. A drafting machinecomprising a protractor scale, parallel motion apparatus including a member supporting said scale, a guide, and means for mounting said guide on said member in adjusted angular relationship With respect to said scale, said means comprising a latch keeper on said membena carrier supporting said guide, said guide and said carrier being operable independently of each other, a turnable member formed with a control handle on said carrier for moving the same With respect to said keeper, a latching detent and means to secure the same to said carrier in position to latchingly engage said keeper, yielding means normally biasing said detent on said carrier toward latched position with said keeper, cam means drivingly connected with said detent for actuating the same, and manually operable cam actuating means extending adjacent said handle, the member being formed with a hub and being rotatably mounted in said parallel motion apparatus, said handle being connected with said carrier by means of a sleeve element turnably mounted in said hub, and said manually operable cam actuating means comprising a stem turnably mounted in said sleeve element.

ADOLPH LANGSNER. 

